Jimmy Butler has received what he sought—his transfer from Miami alongside a lucrative new contract.
On Wednesday, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed that the Miami Heat have finalized a trade deal with the Golden State Warriors, facilitating Butler’s move to the Bay Area. Butler played a pivotal role in leading the Heat to the NBA Finals on two occasions, although his relationship with the team deteriorated significantly, culminating in three suspensions earlier this year.
The Warriors are moving several players, including Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, and Lindy Waters, as well as first-round draft compensation, to execute this deal, according to the source, who wished to remain anonymous until the trade receives official league approval.
Wiggins and Anderson are transitioning to Miami, although Anderson’s long-term status with the Heat remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Schroder will move to the Utah Jazz—coincidentally, the Warriors were playing in Utah that night. Josh Richardson will head from Miami to Detroit, while Waters is joining him. Additionally, P.J. Tucker, who was just recently traded to Utah, is coming back to Miami, where he previously played during the 2021-22 season.
Nikola Jovic, a forward for the Heat, expressed his sadness at Butler’s departure, stating, “I’m going to miss him, for sure. He’s someone who did a lot for this franchise.” The Heat will receive a protected first-round pick from Golden State, which is currently set for this year’s draft but may change based on finalized terms. Reports indicate Butler has already secured a two-year contract extension with the Warriors valued at around $113 million.
“I’m really happy that he got what he wanted,” Jovic remarked about Butler’s new contract, adding, “That bag’s kinda really big.” March 25 will be a notable date as Golden State faces Miami, giving Butler an opportunity to return and play in South Florida.
This marks Butler’s fifth team in the league, following tenures with Chicago, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Miami. His arrivals have typically been met with excitement, but his exits have often been tumultuous.
Joining the Warriors places Butler alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, both key figures in Golden State’s recent championship successes, as they aim to contend for the title once more. On the day the trade news surfaced, the Warriors held a private meeting in their locker room, where coach Steve Kerr addressed the team during the usual media access period prior to games. Golden State ultimately fell to Utah, with a final score of 131-128.
“Our guys were in the locker room getting ready to play and all of a sudden we’re saying goodbye,” Kerr noted in his reflections on the sudden transition.
Butler’s disconnect with the Heat had been brewing for several months, primarily influenced by financial considerations. He was eligible for a two-year, $113 million extension, which the Heat did not offer after he missed approximately 25% of games during his tenure. Their relationship became irreparably damaged after Butler expressed doubts about regaining his on-court happiness in early January, leading to a seven-game suspension as the breaking point in a series of what the Heat termed “detrimental conduct.”
His situation worsened, with three suspensions occurring in January. The second suspension came for missing a team flight, while the last was indefinite following his early departure from a shootaround when he discovered he would not be starting against Orlando.
When reflecting post-suspension, Butler remarked, “There was a lot said by everybody, except for me, to tell you the truth,” hinting at a broader narrative that might unfold. The Heat acknowledged Butler’s trade request, which led to a shift in strategy, countering team president Pat Riley’s previous promise not to trade him. Following the initial suspension announcement, the Heat began pursuing a trade.
This season, Butler has been averaging 17 points per game and recently delivered a historic performance against Detroit, tallying 35 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in a single game. However, his effectiveness declined significantly afterward; in his six appearances post that Detroit game, including a brief outing due to illness, he averaged only 9.5 points alongside 2.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
For Wiggins, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2014, he’s averaged 18.5 points over 11 seasons, primarily with Minnesota and then Golden State. Coach Kerr has often praised Wiggins, noting that when he plays well, the Warriors typically excel as a team. Golden State enjoyed an 8-3 record this season when Wiggins scored 23 points or more in a game.
“Wiggs is one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached,” Kerr shared, adding his appreciation for Wiggins’ character and contributions during their championship run in 2022.
Butler joined the Miami Heat in 2019 as a replacement for franchise icon Dwyane Wade, and in his time with Miami, he was named an All-Star twice and helped the team reach the NBA Finals in 2020 and again in 2023 as an eighth seed. Throughout his playoff history with the Heat, Butler has executed several legendary performances, holding a significant share of the franchise’s 40-point playoff games, including a staggering 56-point outing against Milwaukee in 2023.
His final public remarks as a member of the Heat occurred at a padel tournament on January 25 when he declared, “I love this city with everything that I have.” Just two days later, however, he found himself suspended for the final time.
